Event chairs for Ridgecrest's 50th Anniversary Committee provided updates at its meeting on Tuesday afternoon, providing insight to let the community know everything is well handled.

Events for the 50th Anniversary, held Nov. 1-3, will include a Balsam District street fair, a community parade on China Lake Boulevard, a community dinner sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, burial of the time capsule at the Historic USO Building, and a community lunch.

Balsam District Street Fair

Justin O'Neill, the coordinator for the street fair, said that everything from vendors to musicians is being confirmed, with more people becoming interested on a weekly basis.

O'Neill's event will span Balsam Street from Ridgecrest Boulevard to Argus Avenue. It will also encompass parts of other streets —French, Panamint, Station and Sanders streets.

O'Neill said that approximately 53 vendors have committed to the street fair, including a few food vendors. An additional 32 organizations are planned for the street festival as well, like the Ridgecrest Opera Guild, which will be performing skits throughout the day at the old Ridgecrest batting cages.

“We've got a lot of things that will take place beyond what will be happening on the streets,” O'Neill said. He added that 13 groups will be involved in the health fair happening at one end of the street fair.

O'Neill said the street fair will have three stages with rotating musical acts, along with a few competitions.

He added that several local performers and bands have stepped up “now that the immediacy of the event has sunk in.”

Some safety concerns related to potentially having a rap group perform at the street fair were addressed, but O'Neill said he plans to recontact the musician. O'Neill added that he has been assured the music would not be particularly vulgar.

Ridgecrest Police Department Chief Ron Strand added that while rap music draws a certain type of the population, he wasn't concerned about the music.

Community Parade

Parade co-chairs Kathy Armstrong, and Chuck and Doreen Ball confirmed that everything to date has been smooth sailing for the planned parade on Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The parade route will start at Drummond Avenue, turn left down China Lake Boulevard and turn right onto French Avenue.

Armstrong said that groups interested in participating have already jumped on board.

“We really are excited,” Armstrong said. “I think it is unusual to have a dozen entries already, and lots of people are calling me about entry into it.”

She said that the deadline for entry is Oct. 20.

Page 2 of 3 - “I want to promote this parade and encourage any businesses that have never participated in a parade before, to come out,” Armstrong said. “We want this to be a memorable parade so that those young people who repeat this in another 50 years will have something to compare to.”

One of the more unique attractions for the parade is a flying replica of RPD Traffic Sgt. Mike Myers.

Peggy Shoaf, public affairs officer for Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, provided mixed news about the Navy’s participation in the parade.

“A flyover and any static display of aircraft has been denied,” Shoaf said. “We fought for it, and called up Washington D.C. to talk with people there, but they said unless someone is a Gold Star recipient, no fly overs will happen.”

Shoaf said that did not discount Navy participation in the parade altogether, however. She said she had confirmations to participate from the Navy's VX-31 test flight and evaluation group, along with confirmation from the Marine Corp Aviation Detachment stationed at NAWS China Lake.

“They will have a MAD Color Guard, and the NAWS Color Guard will also participate, so you'll have two sets,” Shoaf said. She added that VX-31 will have people marching, along with the possibility of a contingent of Navy sailors.

A Taste of Ridgecrest

Nathan Ahle, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, said things are underway for his event on Nov. 2 at the Kerr McGee Center from 2-8 p.m. The event, “A Taste of Ridgecrest” is the only event people will have to purchase admission to attend.

Ahle said the event is contacting a number of restaurants to provide samples from their menus to go along with different drinks from breweries and wineries. Additionally, a fashion show, coordinated by Little Deer Durvin, is planned.

Brief remarks by local, state and federal leaders are planned, but Ahle said he still needs to finalize any and all commitments. The only word he has received from the federal level is Assistant Navy Sec. Juan Garcia. Invites have gone out to everyone from Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason on up the chain to Congressman Kevin McCarthy.

“Following any brief remarks, we would have a brief reception for those leaders in another room,” Ahle said. He said it would be a meet-and-greet for sponsors and leaders. “That face time, especially with the elected officials, is very important for people who sponsored the event.”

Historical Society events

The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert has two events planned: The 11 a.m. time capsule burial on Nov. 1, and a photographic display representing more than 50 years of Ridgecrest history on Nov. 2. Both events will be held at the Historic USO Building

Page 3 of 3 - Alan Alpers, from the Historical Society, said that he is working on a number of items for the time capsule, including written essays from students in the area and from 10 selected community members.

Anything symbolic of the current period is being considered for burial to reflect today's culture when the time capsule is unburied in 2063.